Seven Concordia parish police jurors elected

Published 2:07 am Sunday, October 25, 2015

VIDALIA — Five incumbents and two newly-elected police jurors celebrated their victories across Concordia Parish Saturday night.

District 1A

Incumbent Carey Cook was elected to another term, defeating challenger Johnnie “Rip” Woodruff. Cook won 56 percent of the vote with 620 votes, and Woodruff took 44 percent with 486 votes.

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“I’m very thankful, very humbled that they saw fit to support me again and I’ll do all in my power to continue to support them and do the things that need to be done in the parish to make the parish a better place,” Cook said.

Cook also said Woodruff ran a clean race, and thanked all of his supporters.

District 2

Incumbent Willie Dunbar won the police juror seat for District 2, having received 50.09 percent or 270 votes, just barely avoiding a runoff, unofficial results show.

“I thank God for helping me through this,” Dunbar said. “That’s the main thing, and I appreciate all the people in the district who had faith in me to represent them for four more years.”

Rodney “Fred” Washington garnered 22 percent, or 118 votes, and challenger Dax Winston received 28 percent, or 151, of the votes.

District 3A

Adam Probst took the seat for 3A with 54 percent of the vote, 721 votes, defeating Tim Welch, who had 46 percent of the vote, or 618 votes.

“I appreciate all my support and I look forward to working with everybody,” Probst said.

Probst said he also looks forward to serving the people of the parish.

District 3B

Incumbent Whest Shirley won the District 3B seat with 63 percent, or 847, of the votes.

“A lot of work went into this election,” Shirley said. “We’re happy tonight.”

Shirley thanked Ronnie Harris, who had 25 percent, or 335 votes, and Cornell Lewis, who had 13 percent, or 172 votes, for a hard-fought race. Shirley also thanked his family, wife Dara Shirley, his supporters and those who voted for him.

District 4A

Incumbent Jerry Beatty took the seat for 4A, gaining 73 percent of the vote, or 626 votes. Beatty said he thanked God and the voters in his district for a third term.

“They put their trust in me and I won’t let them down,” Beatty said.

Beatty said he plans on making more progress and to keep the district moving forward.

He also said his opponents ran a good, clean race and wishes them well in future endeavors.

Beatty defeated Cade Craft, who garnered 27 percent of the vote, or 236 votes. Rodney Matthews also qualified for the position but withdrew.

District 4B

Jimmy Wilkinson won the District 4B race with 54 percent of the vote, or 494 votes, beating Ray Cater, who had 46 percent of the vote, or 425 votes.

“It was a good race,” Wilkinson said. “We had a lot of people that pulled together and helped us in the race, and I would like to thank Ray Cater for running a good, clean race.”

Wilkinson thanked his family, friends and his supporters.

“I’m excited,” Wilkinson said. “I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and work for the people.”

Daryle Price also qualified for the race but withdrew.

District 5A

Incumbent Jimmy Jernigan beat challenger Suson Hauer with 70 percent of the vote, or 460 votes. Jernigan said he appreciated everyone getting out and voting, despite the bad weather.

“I appreciate the voters getting out and supporting me and voting for me, and I just look forward to another four years,” Jernigan said.

Hauer took 30 percent of the vote with 200 votes. The District 5A race had the greatest unofficial turnout numbers, coming in at 49 percent.